Ballot Access for State Primaries →

Lawyers for Civil Rights is raising concerns to the Democratic State Committee and Republican State Committee about the manner in which candidates for statewide office in Massachusetts are placed on the primary ballot—a process that not only lacks transparency but also raises legal issues, including whether the rights of communities...

2023 Brown Rudnick Summer Fellow →

Brian Cummings Joins Lawyers for Civil Rights as the 2023 Brown Rudnick Summer Fellow Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) is pleased to welcome Brian Cummings as the 2023 Brown Rudnick Summer Fellow.  Launched in 2022, the Fellowship provides a $10,000 stipend to law students who want to gain civil rights experience through a...

Voting Rights Act Victory at the U.S. Supreme Court →

In a major decision, the U.S. Supreme Court re-affirmed a critical tool for protecting minority voting rights: Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act (“VRA”).  In doing so, the Court reinforced the message community groups represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights (“LCR”) have emphasized all along Boston’s redistricting litigation:  ensuring equal voting...

Statement Regarding Boston’s Redistricting Process →

Community Statement Regarding Boston City Council’s 2023 Redistricting Process The Boston City Council passed a redistricting map.  In the view of civil rights and community groups — including the NAACP Boston Branch, MassVOTE, the Massachusetts Voter Table, the Chinese Progressive Association, La Colaborativa, and New England United for Justice (the “Coalition”) — this rushed and flawed process sends an...

Community Urges Adoption of Councilor Lara’s Redistricting Map →

Moving Boston Forward: Community Groups Urge City Council to Adopt Redistricting Map Proposed by Councilor Kendra Lara While Councilor Lara’s Map Preserves Years of Hard-Fought Progress Toward Voter Equity, Competing Proposals Undermine Civil Rights Gains A broad coalition of Boston community groups endorsed the Boston City Council redistricting map proposed...

Defending Voters of Color and Boston’s Redistricting Map →

NAACP AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TAKE LEGAL ACTION TO ENSURE THAT BOSTON’S REDISTRICTING MAP COMPLIES WITH VOTING RIGHTS ACT The NAACP Boston Branch, MassVOTE, the Massachusetts Voter Table, La Colaborativa, the Chinese Progressive Association, and New England United for Justice took legal action to ensure that Boston’s redistricting map complies with...

Community Inclusion Critical for Boston Redistricting Map →

Community Groups Urge Transparency, Public Participation, and Swift Action in Boston Redistricting  A broad coalition of community groups who have uplifted the voices of diverse communities in Boston’s redistricting process today called upon the City to act transparently and expeditiously to adopt a new City Council district map following a...

Supporting Boston’s New City Council District Map →

Civil Rights Groups File Brief in Federal Court Supporting Boston’s New City Council District Map Amicus Brief Reclaims the Civil Rights Mantle Seven community-based civil rights groups filed an amicus brief in the federal court case brought by opponents to the new Boston City Council district map. The brief, supporting...

LCR’s Civil Rights Summit →

LCR’s Civil Rights Summit November 4, 2022 Lawyers for Civil Rights held a Civil Rights Summit on November 4, 2022, convening powerful attorneys and community partners for strategic and catalytic thought partnership to advance civil rights in the current legal landscape, including changes in the composition of the Supreme Court....

Election Protection Across New England →

Lawyers for Civil Rights Protects the Vote Across New England “Election Protection” Efforts Underway as Voters Head to the Polls With our community partners, Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) is spearheading non-partisan Election Protection efforts in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. As people navigate election laws, we will ensure that all...

Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE →

Lawyers for Civil Rights runs the largest non-partisan Election Protection program in the country. For assistance on Election Day, please call our Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE.

Diverse Leadership in Lowell →

Candidates of Diverse Backgrounds Assume High-Profile Leadership Positions in Lowell First Election Cycle Follows a Federal Voting Rights Lawsuit against City A groundbreaking federal voting rights lawsuit filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights and Ropes & Gray against the City of Lowell, Massachusetts had a direct and significant impact on...

Representation Matters →

At Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR), we are proud of our work in partnership with community allies to protect voting rights and ensure diverse representation. As yesterday’s election results continue to roll in, we see encouraging signs across Massachusetts: After nearly 200 years of electing white men as Mayor, Boston has finally broken...

Black & Latino Voters Announce Settlement of Voting Rights Against Worcester, MA →

Black and Hispanic/Latino/a Voters Announce Settlement Of Voting Rights Case Against Worcester, MA The diverse coalition of Hispanic/Latino/a and Black voters that filed a groundbreaking federal voting rights lawsuit against the City of Worcester alleging that its method of electing its School Committee illegally dilutes the vote of communities of...

Massachusetts Redistricting Maps →

STATEMENT ON MASSACHUSETTS REDISTRICTING MAPS Today, the State Legislature released proposed redistricting maps identifying the reconfiguration of Massachusetts' Senate and House of Representatives districts. The proposed maps are encouraging. Senator William N. Brownsberger and Representative Frank A. Moran have clearly worked hard to incorporate community voices and perspectives, not to mention balancing a...

Summer Justice →

Injustice doesn't take a break during the summer. That's why our legal warriors have been busy fighting for equality and justice.   On the policing front, we're suing the Needham Police Department on behalf of Marvin Henry, a Black man who was arrested and falsely accused of shoplifting. We're also publicly calling for greater police transparency and fairness.In...

Minority Voters Demand Electoral Changes in Haverhill →

On the heels of several Massachusetts cities – including Lowell and Worcester – moving away from all “at-large” electoral systems for electing their city councils and school committees, minority voters in Haverhill are demanding a more democratic and representative electoral system. Led by the Latino Coalition, an organization whose mission is...

Victory! Worcester Will Change School Committee Elections →

Plaintiffs In Voting Rights Lawsuit Applaud Worcester’s Announcement That It Will Change Method Of Electing School Committee City Says It Won’t Fight Lawsuit, Which Alleges Current Electoral System Illegally Dilutes The Vote Of Communities of Color The diverse coalition of Plaintiffs in a federal voting rights case challenging the City...